Last Thursday, representatives from the Arcadia, Atlanta, Cicero and Sheridan town councils gathered at the Arcadia Town Hall to share with members of the Northern Hamilton County Chamber of Commerce the latest taking place throughout their respective communities.
This timely meeting was conducted during Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW), May 5 to 11. PSRW is a week set aside to recognize the work done by government employees at local, state and federal levels. Those public service workers in attendance were recognized and thanked for their dedicated and invaluable service to their communities and country.
“Public service is more than just a job,” said Catharine Heller, Member Services Director for the Northern Hamilton County Chamber of Commerce. “For many public servants it is a calling – a way to contribute to our society every day. Some may not be in one of the highly visible jobs, but we depend on each and every one for their work – from our utility workers, law enforcement and emergency personnel, clerks and assistants that support our towns, to postal workers and armed services personnel to name a few.
Collectively, the towns of Arcadia, Atlanta, Cicero and Sheridan employ around 75 public service workers.
Arcadia Town Council President Mitch Russell, Atlanta Town Councilmember Pam Van Hook, Cicero Town Council President Chris Lutz and Sheridan Town Council President David Kinkead shared their updates, goals and challenges with chamber members followed by an interactive Q&A session.
Serving on the town council for what he describes as a “unique” community for close to four decades, Russell said, “Small town America still exists here. The council is looking to bring in more small businesses to their industrial park to help offset the tax base, partner with groups and organizations to bring more viability to its downtown area and keep a strong voice in the state’s 266th Street Interchange project.”
Russell invited members to attend to annual Christmas Tree Lighting on Saturday, Dec. 7 and stay connected to town happenings and updates at arcadiaindiana.org.
Van Hook was pleased to share that funding was secured for upgrades to the town’s wastewater plant, new home construction is underway at the North Winds subdivision, the new Choo Choo Café is now open, Mid-Indiana Marina is set to expand its operations in Atlanta, and Mr. Muffins Trains and the Nickle Plate Express are bringing in a steady stream of visitors to the area. She also shared that the New Earth Festival, now in its 46th year, is the largest (80,000 to 100,000 attendees), longest-running festival in Hamilton County. Some of the money raised from this weekend-long event is allocated to scholarships at Hamilton Heights. For more on Atlanta visit atlantaindiana.com.
In Cicero, Lutz shared how several state grants have benefitted the community from infrastructure to downtown revitalization. Two model M/I homes are nearing completion in what will become a 268-home subdivision at 236th Street and Tollgate Road. The town is also readying East Jackson Street to ultimately connect to Strawtown Koteewi Park as part of the Northern Hamilton County Trail Master Plan. A new ambulance was recently placed into service; the town is working to offer free Wi-Fi in certain locations; The Boathouse, the town’s newest restaurant, has opened to great reviews; and a new partnership has resulted in higher usage at the local ball park. More on this growing lakeside community can be found at ciceroin.org.
In Sheridan, Kinkead shared that Harbor Homes is building a 385-lot subdivision, the old school is being transformed into 32 apartments on three levels, its wastewater and water utilities were sold in December, the Monon Trail is being expanded, improvements are being made to the two major thoroughfares (State Roads 38 and 47), and the town received a special loan from the USDA for stormwater improvements, to name a few. On the horizon are hopes for a local grocery store, new businesses and continuing to prepare for slow, manageable growth. More information about recent activities in Sheridan can be found at sheridan.org.
All were appreciative for receiving the Indiana Department of Transportation Community Crossing grants, which have made recent infrastructure improvements throughout these communities possible. They also gave a shout out to their colleagues on the councils and the town personnel for their dedication and contributions.
State Representative Tony Cook (R-Cicero) was present and shared a brief update on what he described as an interesting but productive legislative session. Of the 1,300 bills presented, 293 passed. Rep. Cook said he was pleased and honored to be involved in four of the priority bills that passed. The bills included three involving education and one on workforce development. He co-authored a bias crime bill and a veterans bill. Indiana continues to be among the top five business-friendly states in the country. He shared his appreciation to his constituents for their continued input and support, crediting citizen input for two bills that recently passed.
Northern Hamilton County Chamber of Commerce President Wade Wiley commented that it was clear to see that public servants are working very hard on citizens’ behalf from Representative Cook and local councils to all the public personnel in-between.
“Our local government workers truly have the best interests of its community and all those who live here,” said Hamilton Heights Superintendent Dr. Derek Arrowood. “They are the silent heroes in our communities. These men and women are a special breed of individual whose dedication, passion and tireless efforts help make our communities a better place to live, work and play.”
“We are appreciative of the difference these public servants make in our schools and communities every single day,” added Sheridan Middle School Principal Kent Davis.